Modular device connector

ABSTRACT

The disclosed apparatus may include a rack-side support structure dimensioned to hold a two-sided port interface with a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end. The rack-side mating end may be configured to interface with supply cables, and the adapter-side mating end may be configured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end of another port interface. The apparatus may also include a device-side support structure dimensioned to hold a two-sided port interface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and a device-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end may be configured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of the rack-side&#39;s port interface, and the device-side mating end may interface with cables that connect to the electronic devices. The rack-side support structure may be configured to interlock with the device-side support structure to connect to the electronic devices. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/457,564, filed Jun. 28, 2019, the disclosure of which isincorporated, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Many current software applications are designed to operate on a widevariety of different electronic devices. For example, a video streamingapplication may be designed to operate on smartphones, tablets, laptops,PCs, gaming consoles, television streaming devices, in-homeentertainment hubs, and other electronic devices. Each time changes aremade to the application, the application must be tested to ensure thatthe changes have not broken any core functionality. This testing istypically carried out on a host of different test devices. For example,a testing lab may include and use many tens, hundreds, or thousands ofdifferent electronic devices to test the application. Various softwareand hardware tests may be run on each of the different devices to ensurecore functionality works as intended.

Managing such a large number of test devices can, however, becomeburdensome. Each time an electronic device under test has a hardware orsoftware failure or freezes and becomes unresponsive, the device must beremoved from the testing rack and a new device must be positioned in itsplace. To remove a device from the testing rack, an informationtechnology (IT) worker must reach behind the device, unplug all of thecables, and then reach behind the device again to plug in those samecables into the new device. This inefficient form of plugging andunplugging the devices can be time consuming, especially when managinglarge numbers of test devices.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the present disclosuredescribes a system and apparatus for connecting multiple supply cablesto an electronic device in a simple and efficient manner.

In one embodiment, an apparatus may be provided that includes arack-side support structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sidedport interface. The two-sided port interface may include a rack-sidemating end and an adapter-side mating end. The rack-side mating end maybe configured to interface with various supply cables configured toprovide input/output (I/O) channels to different electronic devices. Theadapter-side mating end may be configured to interface with an oppositeadapter-side mating end of another port interface. The apparatus mayalso include a device-side support structure dimensioned to hold atleast one two-sided port interface including an opposing adapter-sidemating end and a device-side mating end. The opposing adapter-sidemating end may be configured to interface with the adapter-side matingend of the rack-side's port interface. The device-side mating end mayinterface with supply cables that connect to the electronic devices. Therack-side support structure may be configured to interlock with thedevice-side support structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end ofthe rack-side support structure's port interface with the opposingadapter-side mating end of the device-side's port interface. As such,when interlocked, the rack-side supply cables connect through therack-side and device-side port interfaces to the electronic devices.

In some examples, the rack-side support structure may be coupled to adevice rack. In some examples, the rack may include a spring-loadedcompartment configured to hold the electronic devices in place. In someexamples, the device-side support structure may be coupled to one of theelectronic devices. In some examples, the device-side support structuremay be configured to couple to a multiple different consumer electronicdevices. In some examples, the rack-side support structure may bedimensioned to couple to multiple different device racks. In someexamples, the rack-side support structure may be dimensioned to holdmultiple ports. In some examples, at least two of the ports may bedifferent types of ports. As such, the rack-side support structure mayhold multiple different types of ports.

In some examples, the device-side support structure may be dimensionedto couple to multiple different electronic devices. In some examples, atleast some of the electronic devices may be of different sizes. In someexamples, at least one of the electronic devices may be a device undertest. In some examples, the rack-side support structure may be slidablycoupled to a device rack. As such, the rack-side support structure maybe permitted to slide between a first position and a second positionwithin the device rack. In some examples, the device rack may include asupport bar onto which multiple rack-side support structures areslidably coupled. In some examples, the apparatus may further include aclasp that is configured to hold the interlocked rack-side supportstructure and device-side support structure in place.

In addition, a corresponding system may include a rack-side supportstructure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided port interface. Thetwo-sided port interface may include a rack-side mating end and anadapter-side mating end. The rack-side mating end may be configured tointerface with various supply cables configured to provide input/output(I/O) channels to different electronic devices. The adapter-side matingend may be configured to interface with an opposite adapter-side matingend of another port interface. The system may also include a device-sidesupport structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided portinterface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and adevice-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end may beconfigured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of therack-side's port interface. The device-side mating end may interfacewith supply cables that connect to the electronic devices. The rack-sidesupport structure may be configured to interlock with the device-sidesupport structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface. As such, when interlocked, therack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side and device-sideport interfaces to the electronic devices

In some examples, a method of manufacturing may be provided formanufacturing a modular device connector. The method of manufacturingmay include providing a rack-side support structure dimensioned to holdat least one two-sided port interface. The two-sided port interface mayinclude a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end. Therack-side mating end may be configured to interface with various supplycables configured to provide input/output (I/O) channels to differentelectronic devices. The adapter-side mating end may be configured tointerface with an opposite adapter-side mating end of another portinterface. The method of manufacturing may also include providing adevice-side support structure dimensioned to hold a two-sided portinterface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and adevice-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end may beconfigured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of therack-side's port interface and the device-side mating end may interfacewith supply cables that connect to the different electronic devices.

In some examples, the method of manufacturing may further includeinterlocking the rack-side support structure with the device-sidesupport structure to align the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface. In some examples, when therack-side support structure and the device-side support structure areinterlocked, the rack-side supply cables may connect through therack-side and device-side port interfaces to the different electronicdevices.

Features from any of the embodiments described herein may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodimentsand are a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a modular device connector with oneor more component elements.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a modular deviceconnector with one or more component elements.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a corresponding portion of a modulardevice connector with one or more component elements.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which a modular device connector iscoupled to a rack.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate embodiments in which the modular deviceconnector is slidably coupled to a rack and is slid from one position toanother.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which multiple modular deviceconnectors are coupled to a rack.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a modular deviceconnector coupled to an electronic device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of a modular deviceconnector coupled to a rack and to an electronic device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a portion of amodular device connector.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative side view of an embodiment of aportion of a modular device connector.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate front and top views, respectively, of anembodiment of a rack container with a spring-loaded clip to holdelectronic devices in place.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing amodular device connector.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptionsindicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While theexemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thepresent disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is generally directed to a modular deviceconnector that may be configured to connect electronic devices tovarious supply cables. These supply cables may provide power, networkdata, peripheral device connections, or other connections. As notedabove, electronic devices used to test software may be organized indevice testing racks. These testing racks may house many differentdevices including different types of devices. Unplugging and removingthese devices may be time-consuming and burdensome. Similarly, placingnew devices into the rack and plugging those devices into the supplycables may also take time that could otherwise be used for other,perhaps more important tasks.

Accordingly, as will be explained in greater detail below, embodimentsof the present disclosure may include a modular device connector withone or more component parts. One of these component parts may be arack-side support structure. The rack-side support structure may becoupled to a device testing rack. The rack-side support structure may bedimensioned to hold different types of port interfaces including atleast one two-sided port interface. The two-sided port interface mayinclude a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end. Therack-side mating end may be configured to interface with rack-sidesupply cables configured to provide input/output (I/O) channels todifferent electronic devices. The adapter-side mating end may beconfigured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end ofanother port interface.

This embodiment may also include a corresponding device-side supportstructure that may be coupled to an electronic device. The device-sidesupport structure may be dimensioned to hold different types of portinterfaces including at least one two-sided port interface. Thetwo-sided port interface may include an opposing adapter-side mating endand a device-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end maybe configured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of therack-side's port interface. The device-side mating end may interfacewith supply cables that connect to the electronic devices. The rack-sidesupport structure may be configured to interlock with the device-sidesupport structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface. As such, when interlocked, therack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side and device-sideport interfaces to the electronic devices.

The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-12, detaileddescriptions of different embodiments of modular device connectors. Forexample, although the modular device connector may take many differentforms, shapes, and sizes, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 may beillustrative. The modular device connector 100 of FIG. 1 may include arack-side support structure 101 dimensioned to hold at least onetwo-sided port interface (e.g., 105A). The two-sided port interface mayinclude a rack-side mating end 105A1 and an adapter-side mating end105A2. The port interface may be substantially any type of portinterface including a power interface, a networking interface (e.g.,Ethernet), an audio/video interface (e.g., HDMI), a device interface(e.g., USB), or any other type of port interface capable of receiving aconnecting interface.

In some cases, the rack-side mating end 105A1 may be configured tointerface with supply cables that provide input/output (I/O) channels todifferent electronic devices. The rack-side mating end 105A1 (or105B1/105C1) may include female connectors configured to receive supplycables with male connectors. The supply cables may come from a rack orother source. The supply cables may be inserted into the rack-sidemating ends 105A1-105C1 to provide the requisite power, data, or deviceconnection. The port interfaces 105A-105C may include electronichardware such as connectors, wires, pins, and/or electronic circuitsthat transfer the incoming signals from the supply cables to theadapter-side mating ends 105A2-105C2.

The adapter-side mating ends 105A2-105C2 may be configured to interfacewith an opposite adapter-side mating end of another port interface. Forexample, the rack-side support structure 101 may include multiple portinterfaces 105A-105C that connect to corresponding port interfaces106A-106C in the device-side support structure 102. The device-sidesupport structure 102 may be dimensioned to hold multiple different portinterfaces including more or fewer than the three shown in FIG. 1 (e.g.,interfaces 106A-106C). These port interfaces may be designed tointerlock with the interfaces of the rack-side support structure andwith the electronic devices. For example, at least one of the portinterfaces 106A-106C may be a two-sided port interface that has anopposing adapter-side mating end (e.g., 106A1) and a device-side matingend (e.g., 106A2).

The opposing adapter-side mating end 106A1 may be configured tointerface with the adapter-side mating end 105A2 of the rack-side's portinterface 105A. The device-side mating end 106A2 may interface withdifferent supply cables that connect from the device-side mating end tothe electronic device. As such, a completed connection from left toright in FIG. 1 may start from a supply cable to a rack-side mating end105A1 of the port interface 105A. The adapter-side mating end 105A2 mayconnect to the adapter-side mating end 106A1 of the corresponding portinterface 106A. A supply cable may then be connected to the device-sidemating end 106A2 of the port interface 106A and to the electronicdevice. Because the rack-side support structure 101 may already beconnected to a rack (and may remain that way), and because thedevice-side support structure 102 may already be connected to anelectronic device, an IT worker or other user may simply grasp theelectronic device from the front of the device and slide it back untilthe adapter-side mating ends of the device-side structure meet with theadapter-side mating ends of the rack-side support structure. Because theadapter-side mating ends oppose each other and are opposite gender (maleor female), the device-side support structure 102 may slide into therack-side support structure 101 and connect the port interfacestogether, thereby connecting the supply cables of the rack to the supplycables of the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the rack-side support structure 101 may interlockwith the device-side support structure 102. This interlocking may holdthe rack-side support structure 101 and the device-side supportstructure 102 in place relative to the rack. This may prevent thedevice-side support structure 102 from coming unplugged from therack-side support structure 101. In some cases, the interlockedrack-side support structure 101 and the device-side support structure102 may be held in place with a latch or a clasp that may be undoneprior to unplugging the device-side support structure 102. Theinterlocking of the rack-side support structure 101 and the device-sidesupport structure 102 may align the adapter-side mating end (e.g.,105B2) of the rack-side support structure's port interface (e.g., 105B)with the opposing adapter-side mating end (e.g., 106B1) of thedevice-side's port interface (e.g., 106B). As such, when interlocked,the rack-side supply cables may connect through the rack-side anddevice-side port interfaces to the electronic devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the rack-side support structure 101from apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. The rack-side support structure 101 mayinclude one or more nobs, notches, rails, slides, or other connecting,clasping, or latching elements that allow the rack-side supportstructure 101 to couple to a device rack (e.g., device rack 160 of FIG.6). For example, the rack-side support structure 101 may includecoupling elements 111A and/or 111B. In some embodiments, these couplingelements 111A/111B may allow the rack-side support structure 101 tocouple to a device rack. In some cases, the coupling elements 111A/111Bmay slidably couple the rack-side support structure 101 to the devicerack. As such, the rack-side support structure 101 may be free to slidealong a rail of the device rack. This may allow an IT worker or otheruser to reposition electronic devices within the rack without having tounplug those devices. Indeed, when supply cables are connected throughthe port interfaces of the rack-side support structure 101, through theport interfaces of the device-side support structure 102 (shown in FIG.3), and to the electronic device, these cables may stay plugged in whilethe apparatus 100 is slid up or down the rails.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the rack-side support structure 101 maybe slidably coupled to a support bar or rail 115. In some embodiments,the rail 115 may be a single rail, while in other cases (such as thoseshown in FIGS. 4 & 5A-5B), the rail may be split into multiple sections.In FIGS. 4 & 5, the rail 115 may include notches or grooves into whichthe coupling elements 111A/111B may be inserted. Such a tongue andgroove connection may allow the apparatus 100 to slide up and down therail 115. The connection may hold the apparatus 100 in place but mayalso all the apparatus to be removed when necessary. As shown in FIGS.5A and 5B, a split rail 115 may allow for various connections includingpower connections (e.g., 105C) to be situated between rail portions. Asnoted in FIG. 5B, the rack-side support structure 101 may be slid fromone position (indicated by dotted lines) to a new position (indicated bysolid lines). Thus, the IT manager may have large amount of control overwhere the devices are placed within a rack, even while those devices areplugged in.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a device rack 160 configured tohouse multiple different electronic devices 150. Each electronic devicemay be coupled to a modular device connector (e.g., 100 of FIG. 1) whichincludes the rack-side support structure 101 and the device-side supportstructure 102. In FIG. 6, the various rack-side support structures 101are more visible than the corresponding device-side support structures102. Each rack-side support structure 101 may have one or more supplycables 125 feeding in to the rack-side mating end of the various portinterfaces. As in FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B, the rack-side support structures101 may be connected to the rail 115. The rail 115 may be fixedlyattached to the rack 160 and, as such, may provide a firm mounting pointfor the modular device connectors. In some cases, instead of cablestraveling directly from the device-side support structure 102 to theelectronic device 150, the cables may pass through a power converter126, through an adapter (e.g., DVI to HDMI, etc.), or through otherelectronic components before reaching the electronic device.

The device rack 160 may be configured to hold many different types ofelectronic devices. For example, the device-side support structure 102may be configured to couple to a multiple different consumer electronicdevices. These may be gaming consoles, smartphones, PCs, laptops,tablets, wearable devices, or other electronic devices. The device-sidesupport structure 102 may fashioned in many different forms in order tofit properly against the back end of the device. Then, when the deviceis pulled toward a user, the plugs separate at the juncture between therack-side support structure 101 and the device-side support structure102. The rack-side support structure 101 may stay slidably attached tothe device rack 160, and the device-side support structure 102 may stayattached to the electronic device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the device-side support structure 102may be attached to a gaming console 150. In some cases, screw holes 109may be used to attach the device-side support structure 102 to thedevice. Each modular device connector (e.g., 100 of FIG. 1) may includemany different port interfaces. Although three port interfaces are shownin FIG. 7, it will be understood that the device-side support structure102 may be dimensioned to hold substantially any number of portinterfaces of substantially any shape or size. The device-side supportstructure 102 (and the rack-side support structure 101) may includecutout portions 107 and 108 that may house the port interfaces (103/104for corresponding port interfaces in the rack-side support structure101). The rack-side and device-side support structures may also includevoids or spaces 110 that allow other items to fill the space. Forinstance, space 110 may allow sufficient room to allow for the rack-sidesupport structure 101 and the device-side support structure 102 to beslid together.

When slid fully together, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the portinterfaces 105A-105C may be connected to the corresponding portinterfaces 106A-106C. Thus, with one movement, an IT worker or otheruser may slide the device-side support structure 102 into the space 110and, when fully slide into that space, may connect the various portinterfaces. This motion may thus connect the supply cables 125 of FIG. 6to the electronic devices 150. Regardless of how many port interfacesare in the modular device connector, each port interface may besimultaneously connected in a single move. In some embodiments, therack-side support structures 101 may be standard for a given rack and assuch, may each look the same and may be dimensioned the same.

However, different device-side support structures 102 may be createdthat correspond to the dimensions of the PC, laptop, gaming console, orother device under test. Thus, a bespoke device-side support structure102 may couple to the electronic device on the device-side mating endbut may couple to the standardized adapter-side mating ends of the portinterfaces on the rack-side support structure 101. In this manner, manydifferent devices under test may be plugged in and unplugged from therack simply by pulling the device out of the rack or pushing it in tothe back. The IT worker no longer needs to reach back and fiddle withcables each time a device is changed out. Rather, the modular deviceconnector 100, acting as an intermediary between the supply cables 125and the device cables, may allow a quick and secure connection to bemade simply by sliding the electronic device back into the rack 160.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate side views of the rack-side support structure101 and the device-side support structure 102, respectively. Althoughnetworking and power ports are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, it will berecognized that substantially any type of port interface may be used. Inthis example embodiment, port interfaces 105A and 105B are networkinginterfaces, while port interface 105C is a male power interface. In FIG.10, port interfaces 106A and 106B are corresponding networkinginterfaces that allow networking cables to connect to the electronicdevice 150, and female power connections 106C that allow power cables toconnect to the electronic device. Each modular device connector 100 maybe configured with different port interfaces, and each modular deviceconnector may be designed to fit to a specific electronic device withports spaced apart in a manner that matches the ports of the electronicdevice. In other cases, the modular device connector 100 may bedimensioned to couple to multiple different electronic devices.

In some cases, the device-side support structure 102 may be attacheddirectly to the electronic device, and in some cases, an intermediarymember may be positioned between the device-side support structure 102and the electronic device. The intermediary member may allow adevice-side support structure 102 designed for another device to beattached to the electronic device 150. Thus, such an intermediary membermay act as an adapter that allows generic modular device connectors ordevice connectors designed for other electronic devices to be used withelectronic devices of different sizes and shapes. In some cases, themodular device connector 100 may include a clasp that is configured tohold the interlocked rack-side support structure and device-side supportstructure in place. Thus, regardless of which device is coupled to thedevice-side support structure 102, or whether an intermediary adapter isused, the rack-side support structure 101 may remain connected to thedevice-side support structure 102 until the clasp is released.

FIG. 11A illustrates an embodiment of a rack compartment that may beused within rack 160 of FIG. 6. The rack compartment 1100 may includetwo outer pieces 1101 on either side, surrounding the electronic device1104. The outer pieces 1101 may be held in place via structural pins1105A, 1105B, and others. The electronic device 1104 may be held inplace via a spring-loaded pin or clip 1103. The spring-loaded pin mayinclude a holding member that presses up against the electronic device1104. This rack compartment 1100 may be configured to hold one or moreelectronic devices 1104. A device-side support structure 102 may attachto the back of the electronic device 1104 and, thus, when the rackcompartment 1100 is removed from the rack 160, the electronic device andcorresponding device-side support structure 102 are also removed.Conversely, when a rack compartment 1100 is added to the rack 160, theadapter-side mating end of the device-side support structure 102 mayconnect to the adapter-side mating end of the rack-side supportstructure 101. As such, a user may connect or disconnect a device undertest (e.g., device 1104) simply by sliding the rack compartment 1100into the rack 160 or pulling the rack compartment out of the rack. Insome cases, the rack compartment 1100 may be may be dimensioned for aspecific type of rack, while in other cases, the rack compartment may bedimensioned to couple to multiple different types of device racks.

In addition, a corresponding system may include a rack-side supportstructure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided port interface. Thetwo-sided port interface may include a rack-side mating end and anadapter-side mating end. The rack-side mating end may be configured tointerface with various supply cables configured to provide input/output(I/O) channels to different electronic devices. The adapter-side matingend may be configured to interface with an opposite adapter-side matingend of another port interface. The system may also include a device-sidesupport structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided portinterface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and adevice-side mating end. The opposing adapter-side mating end may beconfigured to interface with the adapter-side mating end of therack-side's port interface. The device-side mating end may interfacewith supply cables that connect to the electronic devices. The rack-sidesupport structure may be configured to interlock with the device-sidesupport structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface. As such, when interlocked, therack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side and device-sideport interfaces to the electronic devices

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing 1200for creating a modular device connector. The steps shown in FIG. 12 maybe performed by any suitable computer-executable code and/or computingsystem in conjunction with one or more pieces of manufacturingequipment. In one example, each of the steps shown in FIG. 12 mayrepresent an algorithm whose structure includes and/or is represented bymultiple sub-steps, examples of which will be provided in greater detailbelow.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, at step 1210, a manufacturer of a modulardevice connector may provide a rack-side support structure (e.g., 101 ofFIG. 1) dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided port interface (e.g.,105A). The two-sided port interface 105A may include a rack-side matingend 105A1 and an adapter-side mating end 105A2. The rack-side mating end105A1 may be configured to interface with various supply cables (e.g.,125) configured to provide input/output (I/O) channels to differentelectronic devices (e.g., 150). The adapter-side mating end 105A2 may beconfigured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end ofanother port interface (e.g., 106A1 of port interface 106A). Therack-side support structure 101 may be manufactured using injectionmolds, 3D printing, casting, or other similar processes. In some cases,each of the component parts may be manufactured separately and laterassembled using fasteners such as nails, screws, nuts and bolts, clips,glue, or other fasteners.

The method of manufacturing may also include, at step 1220, providing adevice-side support structure (e.g., 102) dimensioned to hold atwo-sided port interface (e.g., 106A) including an opposing adapter-sidemating end 106A1 and a device-side mating end 106A2. The opposingadapter-side mating end 106A1 may be configured to interface with theadapter-side mating end 105A2 of the rack-side's port interface 105A,and the device-side mating end 106A2 may interface with supply cablesthat connect to the various electronic devices 150. Like the rack-sidesupport structure 101, the device-side support structure 102 may bemanufactured using any of the above-identified methods or other similarproduction methods.

In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing 1200 may furtherinclude, at step 1230, interlocking the rack-side support structure 101with the device-side support structure 102 to align the adapter-sidemating end (e.g., 105A2) of the rack-side support structure's portinterface with the opposing adapter-side mating end (e.g., 106A1) of thedevice-side's port interface. When the rack-side support structure andthe device-side support structure are thus interlocked, the rack-sidesupply cables (e.g., 125) may connect through the rack-side anddevice-side port interfaces to the electronic device 150.

Thus, the rack-side support structure 101 and the device-side supportstructure may act as intermediary members that allow cables from a rackto be connected to cable ports on an electronic device without a userhaving to reach back behind the electronic device and fish for cablesand try to find the proper ports. Rather, the user may simply slide theelectronic device (having the device-side support structure 102 attachedthereto) to the back of the rack and into the space 110 provided by therack-side support structure 101. The electronic device 150 may thusinterlock with the rack-side support structure 101 and provide a secureconnection to the rack-side cables with very little time or effortexpended by the user managing the electronic devices.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

1. An apparatus, comprising a rack-side support structure dimensioned tohold at least one two-sided port interface, the two-sided port interfaceincluding a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end, whereinthe rack-side mating end is configured to interface with one or moresupply cables configured to provide input/output (I/O) channels to oneor more electronic devices, and wherein the adapter-side mating end isconfigured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end ofanother port interface; and a device-side support structure dimensionedto hold at least one two-sided port interface including an opposingadapter-side mating end and a device-side mating end, wherein theopposing adapter-side mating end is configured to interface with theadapter-side mating end of the rack-side's port interface, wherein thedevice-side mating end interfaces with one or more supply cables thatconnect to the one or more electronic devices, and wherein the rack-sidesupport structure is configured to interlock with the device-sidesupport structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface, such that when interlocked, therack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side and device-sideport interfaces to the one or more electronic devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rack-side support structure iscoupled to a device rack.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rack includes a spring-loadedcompartment configured to hold the one or more electronic devices inplace.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device-side support structureis coupled to one of the one or more electronic devices.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the device-side support structureis configured to couple to a plurality of different consumer electronicdevices.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rack-side support structure isdimensioned to couple to a plurality of different device racks.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rack-side support structure isdimensioned to hold a plurality of ports.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least two of the ports aredifferent types of ports, such that the rack-side support structureholds multiple different types of ports.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device-side support structureis dimensioned to hold a plurality of ports.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least two of the ports aredifferent types of ports, such that the device-side support structureholds multiple different types of ports.

11. A system comprising: a rack-side support structure dimensioned tohold at least one two-sided port interface, the two-sided port interfaceincluding a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end, whereinthe rack-side mating end is configured to interface with one or moresupply cables configured to provide input/output (I/O) channels to oneor more electronic devices, and wherein the adapter-side mating end isconfigured to interface with an opposite adapter-side mating end ofanother port interface; and a device-side support structure dimensionedto hold at least one two-sided port interface including an opposingadapter-side mating end and a device-side mating end, wherein theopposing adapter-side mating end is configured to interface with theadapter-side mating end of the rack-side's port interface, wherein thedevice-side mating end interfaces with one or more supply cables thatconnect to the one or more electronic devices, and wherein the rack-sidesupport structure is configured to interlock with the device-sidesupport structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface, such that when interlocked, therack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side and device-sideport interfaces to the one or more electronic devices.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the device-side support structure isdimensioned to couple to a plurality of different electronic devices.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least two of the electronicdevices are of different sizes.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the electronicdevices comprises a device under test.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the rack-side support structure isslidably coupled to a device rack, such that the rack-side supportstructure is permitted to slide between a first position and a secondposition within the device rack.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the device rack includes a supportbar onto which multiple rack-side support structures are slidablycoupled.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a clasp configured tohold the interlocked rack-side support structure and device-side supportstructure in place.

18. A method of manufacturing comprising: providing a rack-side supportstructure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided port interface, thetwo-sided port interface including a rack-side mating end and anadapter-side mating end, wherein the rack-side mating end is configuredto interface with one or more supply cables configured to provideinput/output (I/O) channels to one or more electronic devices, andwherein the adapter-side mating end is configured to interface with anopposite adapter-side mating end of another port interface; andproviding a device-side support structure dimensioned to hold at leastone two-sided port interface including an opposing adapter-side matingend and a device-side mating end, wherein the opposing adapter-sidemating end is configured to interface with the adapter-side mating endof the rack-side's port interface and wherein the device-side mating endinterfaces with one or more supply cables that connect to the one ormore electronic devices.

19. The method of manufacturing of claim 18, further comprisinginterlocking the rack-side support structure with the device-sidesupport structure to align the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface with the opposing adapter-side matingend of the device-side's port interface.

20. The method of manufacturing of claim 19, wherein when the rack-sidesupport structure and the device-side support structure are interlocked,the rack-side supply cables connect through the rack-side anddevice-side port interfaces to the one or more electronic devices.

The method of manufacturing may be controlled by a computing system.Such computing systems and any electronic devices described herein maybroadly represent any type or form of computing device or system capableof executing computer-readable instructions, such as those containedwithin the modules described herein. In their most basic configuration,these computing device(s) may each include at least one memory deviceand at least one physical processor.

The process parameters and sequence of the steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to beexhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments disclosedherein should be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and theirequivalents in determining the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (andtheir derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to beconstrued as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via otherelements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,”as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning“at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and“having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification andclaims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word“comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a rack-side supportstructure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided port interface, thetwo-sided port interface including a rack-side mating end and anadapter-side mating end; and a device-side support structure dimensionedto hold at least one two-sided port interface including an opposingadapter-side mating end and a device-side mating end, wherein therack-side support structure is configured to interlock with thedevice-side support structure, aligning the adapter-side mating end ofthe rack-side support structure's port interface with the opposingadapter-side mating end of the device-side's port interface, such thatwhen interlocked, one or more rack-side supply cables connect throughthe rack-side and device-side port interfaces to one or more electronicdevices.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rack-side supportstructure is coupled to a device rack.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the rack includes a spring-loaded compartment configured to holdthe one or more electronic devices in place.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the device-side support structure is coupled to one of theone or more electronic devices.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein thedevice-side support structure is configured to couple to a plurality ofdifferent consumer electronic devices.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the rack-side support structure is dimensioned to couple to aplurality of different device racks.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the rack-side support structure is dimensioned to hold aplurality of ports.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least two ofthe ports are different types of ports, such that the rack-side supportstructure holds multiple different types of ports.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the device-side support structure is dimensioned tohold a plurality of ports.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein atleast two of the ports are different types of ports, such that thedevice-side support structure holds multiple different types of ports.11. A system comprising: a rack-side support structure dimensioned tohold at least one two-sided port interface, the two-sided port interfaceincluding a rack-side mating end and an adapter-side mating end; and adevice-side support structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sidedport interface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and adevice-side mating end, wherein the rack-side support structure isconfigured to interlock with the device-side support structure, aligningthe adapter-side mating end of the rack-side support structure's portinterface with the opposing adapter-side mating end of the device-side'sport interface, such that when interlocked, one or more rack-side supplycables connect through the rack-side and device-side port interfaces toone or more electronic devices.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thedevice-side support structure is dimensioned to couple to a plurality ofdifferent electronic devices.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein atleast two of the electronic devices are of different sizes.
 14. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein at least one of the electronic devicescomprises a device under test.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein therack-side support structure is slidably coupled to a device rack, suchthat the rack-side support structure is permitted to slide between afirst position and a second position within the device rack.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the device rack includes a support bar ontowhich multiple rack-side support structures are slidably coupled. 17.The system of claim 15, further comprising a clasp configured to holdthe interlocked rack-side support structure and device-side supportstructure in place.
 18. A method of manufacturing comprising: providinga rack-side support structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sidedport interface, the two-sided port interface including a rack-sidemating end and an adapter-side mating end; and providing a device-sidesupport structure dimensioned to hold at least one two-sided portinterface including an opposing adapter-side mating end and adevice-side mating end, wherein the rack-side support structure isconfigured to interlock with the device-side support structure, suchthat upon interlocking, the adapter-side mating end of the rack-sidesupport structure's port interface is aligned with the opposingadapter-side mating end of the device-side's port interface.
 19. Themethod of manufacturing of claim 18, further comprising interlocking therack-side support structure with the device-side support structure toalign the adapter-side mating end of the rack-side support structure'sport interface with the opposing adapter-side mating end of thedevice-side's port interface.
 20. The method of manufacturing of claim19, wherein when the rack-side support structure and the device-sidesupport structure are interlocked, the rack-side supply cables connectthrough the rack-side and device-side port interfaces to the one or moreelectronic devices.